Myocardial injury after electrical burns: short and long term study

Miscellaneous cardiac abnormalities can occur after electrical burns. The long term outcomes are still unknown. We studied 10 patients, 9 of whom suffered high-voltage electrocution, and one of whom was struck by lightning. Serial electrocardiograms (ECG) and serum MB creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme (MB-CPK) activities were obtained during their stay in hospital. ECG and thallium 201 cardiac scintigraphy at rest, as well as echocardiograms were obtained in all patients 4 to 48 months after discharge. In hospital, 9 patients showed one or more abnormal findings at physical examination (4 cases), ECG (8 cases), MB-CPK (1 case). At long term follow-up, 5 patients had one or more myocardial functions or conduction abnormalities, with or without symptoms. One patient had compensated heart failure. Nine patients were asymptomatic. Abnormal ECG findings persisted in 3 patients. Three cardiac scans showed evidence of regional myocardial hypoperfusion. Decreases in left ventricular indices measured by echocardiogram were found in 3 patients. We conclude that high-voltage electrocution is associated with a high incidence of cardiac abnormalities, which may persist. Long term evaluation, requiring cardiac T1 201 scintigraphy and echocardiogram, may be justified.